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wilmettebeacon.com LIFE & ARTS
the wilmette beacon | July 12, 2018 | 33
Spiritual Peace Pole event honors Mother Earth in Wilmette
Hilary Anderson
Freelance Reporter
The sky warned a storm
was about to drench the
earth.
But still people came to
participate in the annual
Peace Pole ecumenical
service recently held at the
Sisters of Christian Charity’s
Sacred Heart Convent
in Wilmette.
“It is nice this community’s
different faith groups
gather together for this service,”
said Michael Vanoeveren,
a hospice chaplain
at Glenview’s Journey
Care Hospice, who is preparing
to become an Episcopal
priest.
The group soon moved
into the chapel to dodge
the impending raindrops
and hail.
“It could not have been
a more fitting day to have
this peace prayer service,”
said Sister Janice Boyer,
Western Region Leader of
Sisters of Christian Charity.
“Today, we experienced
the warmth of the earth’s
sun, the water from the
rain, the blowing wind and
the air we breathe.”
The ecumenical service
was symbolic. Its purpose
was to pray for peace in
the world, the earth, all
who live on it and for protection
of its resources.
Sister Mary Clement
beat a Native American
drum, signaling the beginning
of the service — a
time to reflect and think
about one’s stewardship of
the earth.
The opening prayer,
adapted from the Rabbinical
Assembly of the United
Synagogue of America, reminded
participants about
the earth’s gifts and the
stewardship entrusted to
everyone living on it.
The assembled group
then read from “Praying
the Four Directions,” a
poem by Ralph Metzner.
It lists the needs associated
with the four directions of
the earth similar to Native
American prayer traditions.
The first direction was
East representing fire —
the spirit of the rising sun,
spark of life energy and
new beginnings — hope.
“Let us see new beginnings,
the possibilities of
change and dreams not
yet lived,” read the first
speaker.
Next was South representing
earth — protection
of the fruitful land and
of all green and growing
things. The group prayed
for planet Earth’s good and
all living things.
The need associated
with South is compassion.
“Let us open the gate of
compassion, the service
we can offer, the sharing of
our talents and the warmth
of our hearts,” the speaker
said.
West was the next direction
representing water
— rain, rivers, lakes and
springs and the power to
dissolve boundaries and to
cleanse and heal. The need
associated with West is acceptance.
“Let us open the gate of
acceptance and let go of
what no longer serves our
growth,” the next speaker
said.
The North represents
air — the living breath and
the power to hear the inner
sounds and sweep out
the old patterns and bring
change and challenge.
The need associated
with North is wisdom.
“Let us open the gate of
wisdom, the blessedness
of divine guidance and
readiness to use our intuition
and knowledge,” read
the speaker.
Sister Cecilia Foleng, of Cameroon, walks with a fruit
basket on her head at the recent annual Peace Pole
ecumenical service at the Sisters of Christian Charity
Sacred Heart Convent in Wilmette.
Hilary Anderson/22nd Century Media
There was a prayer,
Canticle, from St. Francis
Assisi, mentioning Brother
Sun, Sister Moon and
Stars, Brothers Wind and
Air, Sister Water, Brother
Fire and Sister Earth
The Peace Pole Service
continued with a reading
of the “Beatitudes for
Earth” by Richard Gilbert
along with a symbolic
procession of Elements of
Earth carried by individuals
representing different
parts of the world.
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Sister Pamela Baluka,
of Uganda, carried a globe
of the world. Sister Cecilia
Foleng, of Cameroon,
walked with a fruit basket
on her head.
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